ALOR GAJAH, Sept 20 — The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) recorded 336 drowning incidents involving 499 victims between 2020 and Aug 26, 2024.
Its acting deputy director-general (Operations) Rear Admiral Mohd Zawawi Abdullah, said 176 individuals were rescued, 216 lost their lives, and 107 are still missing.
He noted that most of the victims who drowned were not wearing life jackets during activities such as fishing and swimming.
“We want to stress the importance of wearing a life jacket during water activities, swimming, or when boarding a boat. This simple precaution can help prevent drownings.
“If a person does drown, at least their body may float, making it easier for search teams to locate them,” he told reporters after the launch of the World Clean Up Day 2025 programme at Pengkalan Balak Beach here today.
Mohd Zawawi also announced plans to enhance monitoring and patrols at high-traffic beaches, including Langkawi in Kedah, Pengkalan Balak in Melaka, and Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan, particularly during school holidays.
Earlier, Mohd Zawawi spoke about the ‘World Clean Up Day 2025’ initiative, part of the Sahabat Maritim Programme, in collaboration with non-governmental organisation Soroptimist International Ampang. The event aimed to clean up Pengkalan Balak Beach.
The programme, launched in 2020, seeks to engage with the maritime community and stakeholders while fostering positive relations with MMEA through various programmes.
“To date, 23 programmes have been organised. During today’s event, participants collected 150 kilogrammes of waste, primarily plastic packaging, along the beach,” he said.
He emphasised that these efforts also help involve local coastal communities, particularly fishermen, who play a vital role as the eyes and ears of the MMEA. They are encouraged to report any suspicious activities such as smuggling, illegal fishing, or other illicit activities at sea.
“This collaboration strengthens our maritime defence, ensuring that Malaysia’s waters remain safe and secure from potential threats,” Mohd Zawawi said. — Bernama
